The Advantages of Design and Build
As a design-build team, we can’t speak highly enough about the process by which we construct homes for our clients; it’s efficient, scalable, and relational. The homes we’ve built are a testament to the design-build process, and data gathered on the increasingly popular construction method supports what we know to be true from our industry experience.
Design-Build Compared to Other Construction Methods
Our design-build process is marked by unity and seamlessness, both as a result of our specific team, and the design-build structure itself. There are three organizational methods by which construction projects are typically completed; design-build, traditional design-bid-build (DBB), and construction manager at risk (CMR).
The traditional design-bid-build method involves the owner contracting with separate entities for the architecture, construction and design portions of the project. The Construction Manager at Risk method differs only in that a hired construction manager acts as a consultant during the design phase and generally assumes more responsibility for the financial management of the project. Both methods naturally create tension between the separately managed contracts. When costs, schedule, or projected plans change, fingers are pointed and further delays ensue.
In the design-build method, the owner procures the project under a single design-build contract. Within the design-build team, a unified designer and contractor work together from the projects’ start, with aligned goals and shared responsibilities. The design-build team also has a pre-existing culture and collaborative history, usually resulting in streamlined communication and expedited processes.
The Tangible Advantages of Design and Build
The 2019 Design-Build Data Sourcebook, produced by the Design-Build Institute of America details the tangible ways in which the design-build method benefits owners. From an overhead view, design-build is 102% faster than traditional design-bid-build, and 61% faster than construction manager at risk. Design-build also results in 3.8% less cost growth than the traditional design-bid-build method. When the three methods are compared head-to-head on the basis of schedule growth, D-B-B, on average, increases in schedule growth by 2.5%, CMR increases by 0.2%, and design-build increases by 0%. In terms of delivery speed, design-build homes are delivered the fastest, at 4,704 ft2 / month. CMR projects are delivered at a rate of 3,655 ft2 / month, and D-B-B projects at 1,721 ft2 / month. The design-build method was ranked highest for the number of opportunities to innovate within the process.
So, why the drastic advantages of design and build projects? The sourcebook cites a number of naturally occurring conditions within a design-build environment that support a faster, more efficient process. Ultimately the pre-existing team dynamic leads to more efficient, effective communication. A united front within the team minimizes time spent disputing. Early involvement of the builder manages expectations and realistic goals. And the icing on the cake? Design-build was rated highest among all three project delivery methods (76%) as “very good and excellent experiences.”
Why SSDB for your Design Build Experience?
Our tight-knit team has more than 30 years of experience in successfully executing the design-build of custom homes. Not only do we provide our clients with the advantages of design and build, our team is passionate about involving you in the process and making your vision come to life. Our open book pricing policy is designed to prioritize transparency. Our extensive client list showcases dozens and dozens of satisfied customers, some that have returned to us to build a second and even third home.
We are grateful for the kind words of clients past that embody what it means to work with SSDB.
“Thank you for the thoughtful education all the way through the design and build. I daresay your standards were even higher than ours. We are so glad you were there to keep us on track, simplify everything and even bring joy into it all! This is probably unusual to say about a contractor – but we are thrilled to have taken this journey with you and to have made new friends as well as a new house.”
-Wilmette New Home Design and Build
“SSDB is part of an echelon other builders are not – so much quality, so much devotion, such a distinct style and the ability to deliver. I feel exactly the way I wanted to feel in my new home. Our door is open 24/7 whenever you want to show anyone your wonderful work!”
– Northbrook New Home Design and Build
If you’re interested in understanding what our advantageous design build process could look like for your home build, we’d love to get in touch.